Rattan Lantern Pendant Light

Rattan braided into a lantern form with an airy, open structure, so the shade diffuses light rather than blocking it. The braiding is loose enough that the bulb is part of the effect, which is why this design rewards a decorative filament bulb far more than a plain frosted one: the shape of the filament shows through the weave and doubles the interest.

Rattan has become one of the defining materials in decoration over the last decade, and it works overhead for the same reason it works on furniture. It is warm, it has visible hand-work, and it sits between natural and contemporary rather than committing to either. The lantern profile is the most useful of the rattan shapes, because it has height without spreading wide, so it fills vertical space over a dining table or in a hallway without blocking sightlines across the room. Hung low it becomes the focal point; hung higher in a stairwell it fills a void that would otherwise be empty.

Rattan is a natural material, so colour, grain and braid vary between pieces and no two shades are identical. Bulb is not included; a decorative filament-style bulb is recommended. Use a bulb that runs cool and keep it clear of the weave. Installation should be carried out by a qualified electrician.

• Shade: hand-braided rattan lantern
• Weave: airy and open, diffuses light in all directions
• Best for: dining tables, hallways, stairwells, bedrooms
• Bulb: not included, decorative filament-style recommended
• Style: natural, exotic, contemporary
• Note: handmade, every shade is slightly different